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Black House Renovation Project

Update: September 17, 2021

After a busy commencement season and summer quarter, we are excited to share that GMA continues to progress steadily with necessary finishing touches on the Black House. At this stage in the project, “finishing touches” include installation of trim in doorways (called casing), touch-ups on drywall, and remaining work on the rear patio, including the installation of safety rails. While these tasks seem small, this stage of renovation involves items that are critical in securing a the “certificate of occupancy,” which is what we need to safely allow students and staff to return home to the Black House. In full transparency, stock issues, shipping delays, and additional interior construction work shifted our anticipated date of securing our temporary occupancy certificates, but we are now moving forward on all cylinders. 

In addition to remaining construction touch ups, significant work has been done in curating – installing art and décor – for the newly renovated Black House. Last week, we had our curation team on site installing new and familiar wall art to welcome you back home. In the coming weeks, our focus will broaden to include landscaping efforts. Our intention is to fully reopen by early October 2021, in advance of our rededication ribbon cutting ceremony and program on October 15, 2021. For a fuller scope of rededication and reopening events and activities, please visit this site

 

 

For past updates visit our Update Archive page.


Northwestern University has committed to a renovation of The Black House located at 1914 Sheridan Road. In partnership with university stakeholders, Moody-Nolan architects, and additional community members, the project is currently in the design development phase, with construction anticipated to begin on July 1, 2019. The full project will be rooted in a shared vision of what the Black House could be while respecting its historical significance to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the Evanston community.

Note of Gratitude

A note of gratitude is in order to thank those who have come before us to advocate for the Black and African American student experience on Northwestern’s campus. Only through acknowledging and embracing our history can we understand what might be possible for our future with the Black House.

It is with this in mind that we situate these efforts to renovate the Black House in the listening that has come before this process. Situate these efforts in dialogue that has ensued. Situate these efforts in the national and historical contexts that inform the needs for the Black and African American students to be successful at Northwestern, and to contribute to the strength of the alumni network.